LIVING THE FOCUSED LIFE
Notes
Transcript
Philippians 3:10-16
INTRODUCTION
A hungry tiger started tracking the scent of a deer.
As he followed the deer, he came across the scent of a rabbit. He turned aside and started after the rabbit.
Then he was distracted by the scent of a mouse and started following that. He finally came to the hole into which the mouse had vanished.
He ended the day hungrier than when he had started the day.
This fable illustrates how many spend their lives distracted with this or that, and at the end of the day - they have accomplished little.
In Philippians 3:10-16 we find a focus for one’s life - a spiritual focus
In Philippians 3:10-16 we find a focus for one’s life - a spiritual focus
Paul wrote...
13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul said this “one thing I do”
Not “a hundred things I start” or “a dozen things I attempt” - but “one thing I do”
Paul says he is putting all his energy into this one thing - “pressing toward the goal”
I struggle with this concept at times - I get involved, at times, in too many projects and end up doing less than my best with many of them
I struggle with this concept at times - I get involved, at times, in too many projects and end up doing less than my best with many of them
I recently saw this German proverb: “He who begins too much accomplishes little”
Perhaps you, too, have trouble staying focused on what is really important.
We focus on our business - our job
We focus politics
We focus things that annoy us, or on soneone who irritates us
The list can go on and on...
If you struggle with this, as I do at times, a study of Paul’s focused life will help us.
As we will see in Philippians 3:10-16 Paul was...
Focused on a Person
Focused on a Prize
Focused on People
Notice first that Paul was...
DISCUSSION
FOCUSED ON A PERSON
FOCUSED ON A PERSON
10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; 11 if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
“Knowing” Christ involves more than just knowing about Him - includes developing a relationship with Him
Paul already enjoyed a special relationship with Christ, but he stilled longed for a deeper and richer knowledge
Paul’s focus was...
Knowing Christ in this life
Knowing Christ in this life
Paul wanted to know everything about Jesus. He wanted to know “the power of His resurrection”
Paul wants to know thoroughly the power or strength available to the Christian through the resurrection of the Lord
Paul wrote...
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul knew the power of the resurrection of Christ, but at the same time he felt the need for a constant renewal and deeper knowledge of that strength and power
He was not satisfied in his knowledge in this area
In addition, Paul wanted to know “the fellowship of his suffering”
“Fellowship” is sharing or joint participation
Paul felt no one could know Christ fully unless he shared in His suffering
17 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.
10 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Through suffering for the cause of Christ, Paul came to understand more clearly what the Lord had suffered for him - this Paul needed to constantly focus on
Paul concluded this present thought with the words, “conformable unto his death”
With the help of the Lord, Paul was dying to himself. Notice again...
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Paul’s desire to know Christ more fully had at least four facets:
A personal experience: “that I may know Him”
A powerful experience: “and the power of His resurrection”
A painful experience: “and the fellowship of His suffering”
A practical experience: “being conformable unto His death”
The beginning of our quest to know Christ is seen in...
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? 3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; 7 for he that hath died is justified from sin.
Notice the emphasis on Christ’s suffering and resurrection and our need to conform to His death.
Paul not only desired to know thoroughly Christ in this life, but…
Paul looked forward to Knowing Christ in the next life
Paul looked forward to Knowing Christ in the next life
This is evidently what Paul had in mind
11 if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
Paul looked forward to the time when he could know Christ fully
What about us?
Are we focused on the Person - Jesus Christ?
Paul was also...
FOCUSED ON A PRIZE
FOCUSED ON A PRIZE
12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul says that...
Regarding the Present: Humility Needed
Regarding the Present: Humility Needed
“Not that I have already attained...” (v. 12a) - Paul had not yet obtained the full knowledge of Christ - which would come at the resurrection
“…or am already made perfect” (v. 12b) - Paul knew that he was not all he could be or should be
If Paul claimed he had room to grow - what about us?
The Bible challenge is for us to grow...
15 but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Not only was humility needed in the present, but...
Regarding the Past: Forgiveness Needed
Regarding the Past: Forgiveness Needed
How did Paul cope with not being all that he could be?
“forgetting those things which are behind” (v. 13)
What did Paul forget?
He forgot his past successes - as is seen earlier in this chapter
We cannot rely on our past laurels
What you have done in the past does not relieve you of present responsibilities
And, by the way, we can not rely on the laurels of others… (granddad, dad, uncles)
We must continue to prove ourselves
58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
Paul also forgot past failures
He admitted he was not “perfect” and he had not “laid hold”
Paul did not spend his time regretting - he repented and moved forward
Many allow the past to destroy their present and future
Many “beat themselves up”
Going through life thinking of themselves as failures
Remember the promise of...
12 For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.
Paul was focused on the prize by considering the present and the past, but also...
Regarding the Future: Progress Needed
Regarding the Future: Progress Needed
When we dwell on the past we many times become distracted and discouraged
Paul said...
13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
“stretching forward” [reaching forward - KJV] (v. 13c)
“I press on” [follow after - KJV] (v. 14a)
Here Paul’s intensity is seen - he had a great desire to reach his spiritual goal
What was Paul reaching for? Paul was reaching for the prize
Paul knew, and so should we, that this can only be done as we faithfully fulfill our mission
We must live faithfully and bring as many to Christ as we possible can
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Paul was focused on a “Person” (Christ) - he was focused on the “Prize” - but he was also...
FOCUSED ON PEOPLE
FOCUSED ON PEOPLE
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: 16 only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.
Genuine Concern
Genuine Concern
In verses 4-14 we find Paul focused on his life (he uses “I” 15 times )
But in verse 15 he suddenly sifts to the plural “Let us” - Paul’s focus in life was also on others
Paul wants everyone to have the attitude he has been describing, and to help with this, he first gives some...
Gentle Correction
Gentle Correction
“and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you”
One trait of immaturity is an inadequate grasp of God’s word
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
29 But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Therefore...
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
Paul was confident that they would get the instruction they needed to make the proper decisions - he was confident that the dissenters would soon learn better
Paul also sets forth a...
General Command
General Command
“by the same rule let us walk”
To be spiritually united we must have a common authority - God’s Word
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
God’s will for us will be plain if we will obediently adhere to His written word
CONCLUSION
We must stay focused on the spiritual task before us
Focus on a Person (Christ)
Focus on the Prize
Focus on People
Many matters in life are important, but none are more important than these
Don’t loose your focus!
